Advocates call for New York to legalize gestational surrogacy

NY one of two states that outlaws compensated surrogacy contracts

Emily Jordan, right, examines the pregnant belly of her mother Cindy Reutzel on Sunday, Aug. 19, 2012 in Naperville, Ill. After Jordan underwent a radical hysterectomy, she and her husband took up an offer from Reutzel to act as their surrogate. (AP Photo/Sitthixay Ditthavong) less

Emily Jordan, right, examines the pregnant belly of her mother Cindy Reutzel on Sunday, Aug. 19, 2012 in Naperville, Ill. After Jordan underwent a radical hysterectomy, she and her husband took up an offer from ... more

Photo: Sitthixay Ditthavong

Photo: Sitthixay Ditthavong

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Emily Jordan, right, examines the pregnant belly of her mother Cindy Reutzel on Sunday, Aug. 19, 2012 in Naperville, Ill. After Jordan underwent a radical hysterectomy, she and her husband took up an offer from Reutzel to act as their surrogate. (AP Photo/Sitthixay Ditthavong) less

Emily Jordan, right, examines the pregnant belly of her mother Cindy Reutzel on Sunday, Aug. 19, 2012 in Naperville, Ill. After Jordan underwent a radical hysterectomy, she and her husband took up an offer from ... more

Photo: Sitthixay Ditthavong

Advocates call for New York to legalize gestational surrogacy

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ALBANY — Advocates, lawmakers and families will head to the state Capitol once again Wednesday to call for the passage of a bill that would legalize gestational surrogacy in New York.

The Child-Parent Security Act would bring New York in line with more than three dozen states that have legalized the practice, in which a surrogate carries a child they are not related to for another couple or hopeful parent. New York is currently one of only two states that outlaws compensated surrogacy contracts.

Those pushing for the law say it's necessary to ease a currently burdensome process for hopeful families in New York and to help settle confusion and legal uncertainty for children who are born via surrogate in states without established surrogacy laws.

Supporters also say it expands access to parenthood for those who may be unable to have children another way, such as those who struggle with infertility, hopeful single parents, same-sex couples, and those who are unable to carry a pregnancy safely to term.

Those advocating for the bill Wednesday will include Brad Hoylman, its sponsor in the state Senate, and Amy Paulin, its sponsor in the Assembly, as well as the Protecting Modern Families Coalition, New York families who have used surrogacy, surrogates who have helped New York families, and other advocates.

Advocates have pushed for the bill, or some version of it, since 2013.